Students’ Ability to Make Sense of Algebraic Expressions and Their Verbal Equivalents

Abstract

This study aims to reveal the 6th-grade students’ ability to write and understand the verbal expressions (VE) of algebraic expressions (AE) and AE of VE. 238 sixth graders studying in five middle schools in two provinces of Turkey participated in the study. Algebraic Expressions Test (AET), consisting of 24 items, was developed and used as a data collection tool. In the research, quantitative data were analyzed with a t-test and qualitative data were analyzed with content analysis technique. Evidence was found that the performance of the participants was above the average (x ̅=2,05). There was no significant difference between the achievements of male students and female students. On the other hand, it was determined that the students ignored the parenthesis, did not pay attention to the priority of operation and the priority of the fraction line, couldn’t comprehend equality, generally wrote the same type of VE, and could not interpret AE.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0973/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>